Winter skin

It’s party season and understandably you want to look your insta best! However, colder temperatures, combined with central heating and late nights out on the town with the gang, can cause havoc for skin. This one’s gona take more than a fancy face cream. Therefore, I’ve gone beyond the jars and created a list of top tips for achieving flawless skin this Winter!

Focus on your food

Our food has a massive role to play in keeping skin at its best. Consistency and having a healthy, balanced diet on the whole is the most important thing. However, there are certain super-star nutrients that are particularly great for giving you the glow!

Antioxidants

Antioxidants can curb damage to skin cells caused by free radicals from pollution, processed foods and sun exposure. For example, beta-carotene and vitamin E are key vitamins for skin health and can work together at preventing certain types of skin cancer. Excellent sources of vitamin E include nuts and seeds, avocados and eggs; whilst green, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables are fantastic for topping up on beta-carotene.

Collagen

Our skin is held together by a protein called collagen. Therefore, getting enough collagen from our diets is essential for a healthy glow. Our body’s ability to produce collagen naturally declines as we get older, so to keep it pump and free from winkles and sagging, I recommend you supplement your diet with collagen. Protein World's Collagen Beauty Blend and Collagen Capsules are an easy way to give your skin the boost it needs. Use the code LIZZIE10 to get 10% off online.

Vitamin C

Like vitamin E and beta-carotene, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is also important for helping our bodies produce collagen; so getting enough is super important for supple skin. Berries are a particularly great source of vitamin C. They are also naturally rich in resveratrol which contributes to skin cell protection from damage caused by free radicals.

Omega 3s

For beautiful skin this Autumn/Winter, be sure to also stock up on foods that are high in essential omega-3 fatty acids; these include wild salmon, sardines, fortified eggs, and walnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the top outer layer of the skin strong and intact so that external toxins and pollutants are kept out. They also act as an anti-inflammatory and therefore provide benefits when combating conditions such as eczema. However, our bodies don’t product these fatty acids and so they must be obtained from our diet.

Drink up

Staying hydrated is super important for a healthy glow because it aids circulation and the transport of nutrients to our skin. When our bodies are dehydrated, this can lead to dry, tight and flaky skin. Whilst you may feel like you’re drinking plenty, central heating and cold air temperatures can themselves lead to dehydration, so make sure you sip on water consistently though the day.

Whilst getting enough sun is important in obtaining sufficient vitamin D for strong bones and a healthy immune system, UV rays can cause skin damage even on a cloudy Winter’s day. For example, UVA rays contribute to skin aging (think wrinkles and pigmentation). Getting about 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure is sufficient for topping up on vitamin D, the rest of the time be sure to apply an SPF sunscreen to exposed skin.

Get your beauty sleep

It’s no coincidence Princess Aurora had such amazing skin; beauty sleep is real, guys! Sleep deprivation reduces your body’s ability to repair itself, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin. Official guidelines recommend between 6-8 hours per night, so be sure to rest up and recover following that big party last night. You’ll look and feel like a princess come morning!

We all know at least one person with beautiful glowing skin all year round. This is likely due to a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices. Whilst you can’t change your genes, you can wear them differently; make an early NY resolution to tweak the way you live and what you eat and you’ll be all set for this party season!